Happy Mega Evolution release month! With the latest set from the Pokemon Company around the corner, we should start seeing PokemonCenter.com restocks and additional pre-orders for Mega Evolutions product. Plus, Phantasmal Flames revealed, more megas, and a deep dive into the current PSA 10 alt art boom. Let’s rip into this one!

Let’s take a break from all the newly announced and upcoming modern sets to examine the recent uptick in Pokemon card prices for PSA 10 graded Sword and Shield alternate art cards. There's been a slow and steady climb since early July 2025, and some of my favorite Pokemon cards from the Sword and Shield era are hitting new all-time highs in PSA 10 condition.

Above is a chart comparing the raw value against the PSA 10 value of the Dragonite V #192 alternate art from the highly coveted Pokemon Evolving Skies set. This Pokemon card isn't particularly rare and isn't particularly difficult to grade as a PSA 10, but the steady growth in Pokemon card prices indicates that this new all-time high is establishing a new price floor.

Are we set up for another Pokemon alternate art boom? Let's examine a few more of my favorite Sword and Shield alternate art Pokemon cards to determine whether we're experiencing another boom cycle in the Pokemon TCG market.

Here's another Pokemon Evolving Skies alternate art card that has seen consistent growth since last year. The Sylveon VMAX #212 alternate art is an incredible Pokemon card in person, and compared to the other VMAX Pokemon cards in the set (like the Umbreon VMAX, Rayquaza VMAX alternate arts), it doesn't receive the same level of appreciation from Pokemon collectors. However, it's clear that even this Pokemon card is experiencing gains in the current alternate art run.

When it comes to buying Pokemon collectibles, there's never a bad time to purchase Pokemon cards you love. After establishing a new all-time high earlier this year for Pokemon card values, then dipping before summer, now presents a good opportunity to buy if you've been eyeing this Sylveon alternate art for your Pokemon collection.

As happy as I am to have bought this Sylveon VMAX alternate art in late 2024, there's one Pokemon card that haunts me to this day...

Next to the Umbreon VMAX alternate art from Evolving Skies, the Gengar VMAX #317 alternate art from Pokemon Fusion Strike is another highly regarded chase card from the Sword and Shield era Pokemon sets. Even though more copies of this Pokemon card exist in PSA 10 condition compared to the Dragonite V alternate art from Evolving Skies, the Gengar VMAX was simply in higher demand among Pokemon collectors, commanding higher Pokemon card prices.

We're seeing a similar pattern to the Sylveon VMAX alternate art: an initial surge in Pokemon card values early in 2025, followed by a dip ahead of the summer Pokemon market boom. The key difference between the Sylveon and the Gengar alternate arts is that the Gengar VMAX has the potential to continue growing in price, aiming squarely for that $2,000+ price point in PSA 10 condition.

I'm sweating. I love the Gengar VMAX alternate art and am still kicking myself for passing on it when Pokemon card prices were $500. But seeing a Pokemon card I love increase in price so dramatically is also comforting—it confirms that my taste seems to align with what the general population of Pokemon collectors enjoys as well.

. . .

There's definitely a rising wave for Pokemon Sword and Shield alternate art cards. With the difficulty of obtaining new Pokemon products and sealed Sword and Shield booster boxes, it appears Pokemon collectors are redirecting their money elsewhere, investing in beloved alternate art Pokemon cards instead.

Again, now that Pokemon Sword and Shield products are much more difficult to find in retail, and given how hot the Pokemon card market is currently, you may need to bite the bullet and invest in your favorite Sword and Shield alternate art in PSA 10 condition. There's no doubt that these Pokemon cards will continue to see gains in value over the years, and if you don't own any sealed Sword and Shield Pokemon products, having the PSA 10 alternate arts could be the next best thing for Pokemon investors and collectors.

If you are unaware, PSA, or Professional Sports Authentication, is the go-to grader for all things trading cards and sports cards. There are other companies, like TAG, ACE, and Beckett Grading, who all provide grading services, but aside from Beckett Pristine and Black label 10s, you’ll find that PSA graded cards tend to hold their value better than other grading companies.

I always use their Certificate Verification to check cert numbers on any cards I want to buy to ensure they are legitimate, and also use the Population Report on the PSAcard.com site for research on how difficult a card is to grade (how many PSA 10s versus other grades).

The Pre-Release Raichu Mystery ⚡
Collectors have long debated the existence of “Pre-Release Raichu,” a Base Set Raichu supposedly stamped by mistake. Some Wizards of the Coast employees swore it existed; others denied it. To this day, it’s one of the greatest urban legends in TCG history.

Catch deals. Pull grails.